2011 Ras Ajdir clashes
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Ras Ajdir clashes were a series of skirmishes between rebel anti-Gaddafi forces
and loyalist pro-Gaddafi forces for an important Libya
–Tunisia
border post in Libya's extreme northwest.
The post had been a key loyalist supply line to the capital, Tripoli
, but ceased to be so after the rebel recaptured
of Zawiya and the highway running through it.
Before the rebels captured the border post, there had been some concerns that Gaddafi might use it to flee Libya.
On 21 August, rebel forces again reached the crossing, meeting stiff resistance from what were reported to be "non-uniformed Gaddafi loyalists". Rebels made gains, but were once again repulsed by artillery fire. However, rebels did not entirely abandon their efforts, and the crossing remained contested. There were also reports that the Tunisian police had been involved in the fighting in an unknown capacity, but these were not confirmed by any independent sources.
On 23 August, the Russian Channel One
news agency reported that the crossing appeared to be under the control of pro-Gaddafi forces, who prohibited journalists from entering Libya.
On 26 August, witnesses reported that clashes were once again erupting between "large numbers" of rebels and loyalists for control of Ras Ajdir. The Tunisian army closed down the border in response, declaring it a "closed military zone", later stepping in to try to contain the situation. This time, at least 100 anti-Gaddafi forces succeeded in capturing the crossing and hoisted their flag at the border post. Tunisian authorities reopened the crossing on 28 August.
Anti-Gaddafi forces
The anti-Gaddafi forces were Libyan groups that opposed and militarily defeated the government of Muammar Gaddafi, killing him in the process. These opposition forces included organised and armed militia groups, participants in the 2011 Libyan civil war, Libyan diplomats who switched their...
and loyalist pro-Gaddafi forces for an important Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
–Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
border post in Libya's extreme northwest.
The post had been a key loyalist supply line to the capital, Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
, but ceased to be so after the rebel recaptured
Second Battle of Zawiya
The Second Battle of Zawiya was a battle in the 2011 Libyan civil war between rebel anti-Gaddafi forces and forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi for control of the Tripolitanian city of Zawiya.- Background :...
of Zawiya and the highway running through it.
Before the rebels captured the border post, there had been some concerns that Gaddafi might use it to flee Libya.
The Battle
On the night of 13 August, rebel forces assaulted the crossing. The loyalists responded with tanks and other heavy weaponry, completely repelling the rebel assault.On 21 August, rebel forces again reached the crossing, meeting stiff resistance from what were reported to be "non-uniformed Gaddafi loyalists". Rebels made gains, but were once again repulsed by artillery fire. However, rebels did not entirely abandon their efforts, and the crossing remained contested. There were also reports that the Tunisian police had been involved in the fighting in an unknown capacity, but these were not confirmed by any independent sources.
On 23 August, the Russian Channel One
Channel One (Russia)
Channel One is the first television channel to broadcast in the Soviet Union. The channel was renamed Ostankino Channel 1 in 1991, after the Soviet Union broke up and the Russian SFSR became the Russian Federation. According to a recent government publication, the Russian government controls 51%...
news agency reported that the crossing appeared to be under the control of pro-Gaddafi forces, who prohibited journalists from entering Libya.
On 26 August, witnesses reported that clashes were once again erupting between "large numbers" of rebels and loyalists for control of Ras Ajdir. The Tunisian army closed down the border in response, declaring it a "closed military zone", later stepping in to try to contain the situation. This time, at least 100 anti-Gaddafi forces succeeded in capturing the crossing and hoisted their flag at the border post. Tunisian authorities reopened the crossing on 28 August.